FIFA confirms fastest WCup goal

ZURICH (AP):

FIFA says Belgium forward Christian Benteke took 8.1 seconds to score the fastest goal in World Cup history.

The official timing confirmed yesterday means Benteke's goal in a qualifying match against Gibraltar was 0.2 seconds quicker than Davide Gualtieri for San Marino in 1993. Gualtieri needed 8.3 to score in a

qualifier against England.

While Benteke went on to score three in Belgium's 6-0 win on Monday, San Marino eventually lost 7-1 after the record start.

Benteke scored despite Gibraltar kicking off. The Crystal Palace forward robbed the ball after two

touches by the defence, drove forward and scored with a clipped shot over the goalkeeper.

Gibraltar helped write a chapter of World Cup

history in just their third qualifying match after joining FIFA in May.